Descripción:During take-off, just past VR, at a speed of 146 knots, the 737 collided with a flock of pigeons (Columba Guinea). Both engines ingested a number of birds, which resulted in a rise in engine temperature on climbout and the engines backfiring at 100-200 feet. The crew made a right turn to return to airport with the EGT readings at the top extreme. On base leg at 7100 feet amsl with 190 knots, both Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17A engines backfired & flamed out.A wheels-up crash-landing was made. The aircraft caught fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: " The accident occurred because the airplane could not be safely returned to the runway after the internal destruction and subsequent failure of both engines to operate arising from multiple bird ingestion by both engines during take-off."

This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path. Distance from Bahar Dar Airport to Asmara International Airport as the crow flies is 442 km (276 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.